Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698928453921.pdf (Sierra Leone)
OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S ____ [HANSARD] ______________ OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT THIRD SESSION –SECOND MEETING THURSDAY, 11TH MARCH, 2021 SESSION – 2020/2021 OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S ____ [HANSARD] ______________ OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT VOLUME: II NUMBER: 39 Second Meeting of the Third Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
Proceedings of the Sitting of the House Held Thursday, 11th March, 2021.

2 CONTENTS I. PRAYERS II.

RECORD OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SITTING HELD ON 4TH MARCH, 2021 III.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER IV.


BILL THE CYBERCRIME ACT, 2020 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING SECOND READING, COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 3 THE CHAMBER OF PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE Official Hansard Report of the Proceedings of the House _____________________________________________________________ THIRD SESSION – SECOND MEETING OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC _____________________________ Thursday, 11th March, 2021.
I. PRAYERS [The Table Clerk, Mrs Tangella M.C Sam, Read the Prayers] [The House met at 11:45 a.m. in Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown] [The Deputy Speaker, Hon.

Segepoh Solomon Thomas, in the Chair] The House was called to Order 4 Suspension of S.Os.

5[2] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR II.


CORRECTION OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SITTING HELD ON THURSDAY 4TH MARCH, 2021 THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, we go through the record of Votes and Proceedings for the parliamentary sitting, held on Thursday, 4th March, 2021.

As usual, we shall skip pages 1 to 4.

We start with Page 5.

Page 5?

Page 6?, Page 7?, Page 8?

Page 9?

Page 10?

And Page 11?


If there is no correction or comment, can someone move for the adoption of the record of Votes and Proceedings for the parliamentary sitting, held on Thursday, 4th March, 2021 as presented?

HON.

AMBROSE M. LEBBY: I so move, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Any seconder: HON.


JOSEPH W. LAMIN: I so second [Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [Record of Votes and Proceedings for the parliamentary sitting held on Thursday 4th March, 2021 has been adopted as presented] THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, it is about two sittings now when I ordered a special Committee to investigate the issue of water pollution; and during the last sitting, we arrived at a conclusion that a Special Committee be set up.

Is the Chairman of that Special Committee here?


Do we have any Member of that Committee in the Well?

Can you please tell us the status of your findings?

HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Mr Speaker, when the names of Committee Members were announced in this Well, we had a meeting where we discussed pertinent issues ranging from the object of the Committee to the budget.

The budget was presented to the Clerk of Parliament so as to enable Members to undertake an oversight visits to the affected area[s].
The proposed oversight will last for a period of five [5] days; from the 5 15th - 19th.

This is because it involves Moyamba, Bonthe, Bo and Tonkolili districts.

On behalf of the Chairman, this is the update, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Thank you very much, Honourable Member for that update.

Mr Deputy Leader of Government Business, you have the Floor.

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: With what the Honourable Member has just said and based on the resolution moved, I also move that we give them two more weeks.
THE SPEAKER: You said two more weeks?

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: Yes, Mr Speaker.

This is to enable them do the necessary administrative arrangements.

THE SPEAKER: So you are asking for additional days.

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: Yes, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Any seconder?

HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: I so second, Mr Speaker.


[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [The Motion by the Deputy Leader of Government Business has been carried] THE SPEAKER: The Deputy Leader of Government Business has just requested that we extend the mandate of the Committee for another two weeks.

In this regard, I urge Members of this Committee to treat their assignment very seriously and ensure that they table their report in this Well.
That particular incident is all over the social media and the people whom we represent here are interested in the conclusion relating to that mater.

So, it behoves us, as Members of Parliament, to treat this particular matter with all seriousness.

In the next two weeks, I am hopeful that we would have the report for Members of Parliament to see whatever that is good in the interest of our people.
I will insist that any report brought to this House relating to that incident be debated properly and make the relevant recommendations as a House.

6 III.

BILL THE CYBERCRIME ACT, 2020 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS HON.

HASSAN A. SESAY: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I must report that I had a telephone conversation with the Minister of Health and Sanitation in respect of the issue relating to the Medical Insurance for Members of Parliament.
I am happy to report that the Minister was very receptive and he told me in his own words that the timing cannot be more perfect because they were also thinking around that just about the time we brought the issue for discussion in Parliament.

He is looking forward to meeting with me so that the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and those in charge of the Health Insurance Scheme to work out the modalities.

He said they have been finding ways of getting an insurance company that can handle this matter.
So, I will be meeting the Minister of Health and Sanitation and after that meeting I will report to this House whatever decision we could have reached.

It is a matter of urgency and we cannot afford to lose, particularly when we make laws.

No matter what, let us all be prepared to take up the challenge because definitely as long as it is about Members of Parliament, we would definitely get a bashing from the public.
The public is always thinking that Members of Parliament are only concern about their welfare.

So after that meeting with the Minister of Health and Sanitation, I will report to this House.

I am sure the team will consist of Members of Parliament and those in the health sector to work out the modalities.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I totally agree with you, but in the circumstance I wish to make this very clear to Members of Parliament.
I would want this to become law because we are not begging for any favour.

We make the laws and we are the custodian of the national purse.

We should ensure that a law that will stand the test of time is enacted.

This is not just about the present Members of Parliament, but Members of Parliament that will come after us.

I now call on Honourable Hassan A. Sesay to ensure that the Chairman of the Committee is present at the meeting with the Minister, 7 so that he also guides Members of his Committee.
We want a law that will stand the test of time, so that future Members of Parliament will know that this current Parliament went all out to ensure that Members of Parliament are comfortable.

We do not want a situation where a Minister will say this is not necessary for Members of Parliament.

This is why I think it is necessary to enact a law in that regard [Applause].

HON HASSAN A. SESAY: I agree with you, Mr Speaker.

HON.
HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Speaker, I am sure you gave us an assignment and I want to use this opportunity to report to this House that the draft is available.

I have asked the clerk of the Committee to put it in a PowerPoint format and thereafter, the Committee will meet and discuss the details and report back to you.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, please inform us as early as possible, so that we can organise a meeting in Committee Room 1 to discuss pertinent issues.
We have to be on same page before we bring the document to Parliament.

Thank you very much for your efforts and we would continue to remember Members of this Committee who are working tirelessly to ensure that we succeed.

MOHAMED RAHMAN SWARRAY [Minister of Information and Communications]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I move that the Bill entitled ‘The Cybercrime Act 2020’ be read the first time.
[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [The Bill entitled ‘the Cybercrime Act, 2020’ has been read the first time] SECOND READING MOHAMED RAHMAN SWARRAY: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, you would recall that the world is going digital and you are equally aware that Sierra Leone missed out on three industrial revolutions.
We do not want to miss out on this because it is His Excellency President’s considered view that he wants to leave behind a digitally inclusive Sierra Leone where we can all compete both nationally and internationally.

In that regard, you find out that in the Medium Term National Development Plan Cluster 8 3.5, the issue of competitiveness using Information and Communication Technology [ICT] is clearly elucidated.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, today, we have about 17% of our citizens using various forms of digital technologies.

This statistics is said to increase as more young people latch unto various forms of digital technologies.

In that regard, government thinks it is absolutely compelling to ensure that we have the necessary mechanisms in place to protect our citizens online as much as we do offline.
So, the Cybercrime Bill is an attempt by government to ensure that citizens are protected both online and offline.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Cybercrime Bill addresses many other issues that have already been dealt with at various quarters.

In 2017, African leaders signed up to what we call the Malabo Accord.

The Malabo Accord is the gold standard for the Africa Union [AU] with regards to cybercrime and data protection.

African leaders have signed up to that agreement.


In this document, there is effusive mention of that and African leaders and governments were implored to domesticate this in their national laws.

Similarly, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, there are effusive references to the Budapest Convention.

The Budapest Convention is the gold standard for cybercrime and organised crime protection and management around the world.

We have ensured that provisions are made relating to this.
We believe that if this law is enacted, issues like online child protection will be enhanced and the digital integrity of the country will be fostered.

Digital space is like the normal world we live in and every country has its own footprints and Sierra Leone is recognised by our ‘SL.’ So, we believe that with this law, Sierra Leone will be better looked after and anything coming from Sierra Leone will be treated with the due seriousness and importance it deserves from other domain users around the world.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, it is important to know that the Cybercrime Bill is long overdue in Sierra Leone.

We note, while it will ensure that it protects the rights of citizens, it will not at any time interfere with the fundamental rights of free expression of citizens.

Many have expressed concerns about that; and as a matter of fact, we have all took a historic decision to unshackle the media by repealing the Criminal and 9 Seditious Libel Law.
That means this government stands for freedom, it stands for free expression and Parliament has been very supportive.

We cannot give with one hand and take with the other.

We have no intention to use the Cybercrime Bill to take away fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I would also like to note that with the passage of this Bill into law and our accession with the Budapest Convention, Sierra Leone will have an opportunity to benefit from international cooperation.
You are aware that cybercrimes are normally committed by people who sit in the comfort and convenient places from where they commit the offence.

So, with the passage of this Bill, people who unwarrantedly disrupt the peace, stability and put a knife on the peace and cohesion of the country could actually through international cooperation be brought to trial either in the countries in which they are domiciled or in the home country.
Ghana has already acceded to the Budapest Convention and they have been able to enjoy lots of benefits.

Most importantly, cyber offences are not like a rubbery offence wherein the evidence involving cybercrimes are usually very volatile; they would need special training for curation of the crime scene; they would need special preservation techniques, and this law makes provision for these.
As a coronary, once we accede to the Budapest Convention, our Judiciary will have an opportunity to be trained on issues like admissibility of electronic evidence.

Again, once this is done, there is a 24/7 point of call and we would be put in touch with other authorities around the world, so that if we have any issues involving cybercrime, we could always tap from wealth of knowledge to ensure that those matters are resolved.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this is the right moment for this Bill to be enacted and I know every one of us here is technologically inclined.

So, it is important that we are protected by law, both in principle and in practice and that is what the Cybercrime Bill seeks to address.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I implore this House to continue to support this Bill for God and for country and for future generations.
Majority of our kids are connected to various social media platforms and on those platforms there are myriad of offences 10 that happen and we want to ensure that we manage such situations as parents, as leaders and as family members.

Thank you very much.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on that note, I move that the Bill entitled The Cybercrime Act 2020, be read the second time.

[Question Proposed] HON.


BOSTON MUNDA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in a special way, I want to thank the Minister of Information and Communications for putting this proposal together.

I am sure cybercrime is a global issue and there are efforts to eradicate or minimise it.

In Sierra Leone, we have thought it necessary to be part of the global initiative to minimise or eradicate it.
The Minister said that both the Budapest and Malabo Conventions are meant to look into issues relating to cyber-attackers.

Well, as long as we are using the internet or mobile phones, I am sure we are prone to cyber attackers.

In Sierra Leone, we do not have a proper security system in place that can minimise those attackers.

In fact, when you look at the entire Africa continent, we have similar challenges relating to issues of handling cyber-attackers.
I am sure Kenya lost about $210mln in 2017 to cyber-attackers; the Nigerian Government lost $649mln in 2017 to the ‘Yahoo Boys;’ South Africa lost $157mln to cyber-attackers.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the cyber attackers cannot just go and rub a bank as rightly said by the Minister, they would sit in their comfort zones and attack people, especially in the banking industry.

Some of us have banking experience and I can state here that there are huge sums of moneys in the banks without owners.
Usually, cyber attackers infiltrate into people’s accounts.

So, the Budapest Convention is trying to ensure an international cooperation geared towards minimising these attacks.

The African Union [AU] adopted the Malabo Convention, so that African countries can be signatories to the Budapest Convention.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, let us also as a country see how we can have an idea on how to minimise all sorts of cyber-attacks.
Today, Ghana, Senegal and Mauritius are part of this Convention because they have domesticated it.

For us, what 11 we lacked over the years is the domestication of that law.

Today, this Bill is important for us and we must embrace it.

I want you to know that we have kids and we adults are using mobile phones.

You can recall that somebody used the names of the Deputy Speaker and the Leader of Government Business to extort moneys from nominees of the President.
These are the issues this Bill is trying to address.

I am sure all of us have encountered issues relating to cybercrime.

People are impersonating others to send orange money for them.

This is now a normal practice in Sierra Leone and we do not have laws to regulate it at all.

People sit in their comfort zones releasing WhatsApp audio and videos messages, inciting others to bring mayhem in this country.

We do not have laws to track those people.


We have to enact this Bill into law, so that we can minimise cybercrimes in the country.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this Bill caters for all mobile companies because they are usually attacked by cyber attackers.

The cyber attackers usually penetrate their systems and that is why we have these problems.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this Bill caters for electronic evidence and capacity building.
In the area of capacity building, some of us are still novice.

In fact, we cannot access proper computer system because we lack the capacity.

So, this Bill caters for capacity building for judges, magistrates, police and all security institutions.

Over the years, social media has been misused and that is what is known as cyber bullying because some people are been bullied through social media, such as cyber fishing.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, one of the things I have identified in this Bill is the identity theft.

The theft of identity is very serious, like what happened in your case.

However, we were able to arrest the gentleman who was posing as Leader of Government Business.

I am pleased to have this long awaited Bill before us.

I want to ask this Honourable House to ratify this Bill.

Let us have this in mind that cybercrime and cyber security are too different issues.
Cyber security deals with minimisation and eradication, whereas cybercrime is the existence of the crime itself.

With these few words, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I ask that this House ratify this Bill.

I thank you [Applause].

12 HON.

ABDUL K. KAMARA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we find ourselves in a stage in which we have technology everywhere and crimes are perpetrated through the technological means.
It is interesting to note that what we have in front of us is a very sensitive piece of work.

This Bill is sensitive and it needs publicity and Members of Parliament are also expected to inform the citizens of Sierra Leone to understand that what we are about to do will affect not just the users of mobile phones, but even generations yet unborn.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, when my colleague was speaking, he highlighted the financial implications of what we lose as a country due to cybercrime, but I would like to tell you that most Sierra Leoneans who are paying attention to what we are doing here will look at this with a political lens and it could be seen as one of the ways through which the Government will use to oppress the opposition.

When you look at the regulating Panel that has been constituted, it is worrisome.
Almost everybody on that Committee is a minister of state and appointees of the President.

This means that if you are critical of a particular regime and you are using the social media to express your concerns, you will be dealt with.

I am sure using this Committee that has been constituted will not be favourable to you.

As Members of Parliament and as good citizens, we should not make laws that seem to target certain individuals.

Let us make laws with the fear of our minds and our nation.
The Minister said it is for God and for country, but the reflection of that in this Bill is farfetched, looking at the composition of that Committee.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have a very simple case and that is where I listened to my brother as he was talking about the need to train the police.
When we look at the critical case of the Barefoot College, which is a German Non-governmental Organisation [NGO] that is operating with other NGOs within Sierra Leone, this matter is simple to the extent that you do not even need to be cyber-personnel to know.

All they needed to have done was to relate with another bank.

This Parliament has summoned officials of the Criminal Investigation Department [CID] who are supposed to write a letter to another bank, so that they tell us where the money went.
The police 13 have neglected on their duty and have not done anything for over one year.

The effect is that the Barefoot College, which is about illiterate women coming together to find a living for themselves are now finding their names being messed up in Europe.

You can have the best laws, but if you have a police force that considers itself more partisan, would do the worst.

So, it is not just about laws; it is not just about training people; it is also about sincerity of purpose.
I want to inform this Honourable House that the current situation facing the Barefoot College is killing that institution.

It is not just a cyber- related crime, but even when the pieces of evidence are very clear, the police have done nothing absolutely to bring the perpetrators to book.

I am sure if it was a political matter they were sent to investigate, they would have done the investigation speedily.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, it is also very clear that the intention of people in governance normally is to track down peaceful citizens whom they perceive to be threats to national security.

Again, it is a whole argument about what constitute national security because we have heard a situation wherein people are being called terrorists.

Do you have evidence to show that those people are terrorists?
This is not about just making laws or committing Bills for pre-legislative hearing, but it is also about serious national sensitisation.

We have to engage the people, so that they understand the content of the laws we are enacting.

We can ask colleagues not to use political lens when debating these Bills.

Sometimes we say ‘oh the pa want dis wan’ because today he is in power, but nobody would assure you of being in governance forever.

The laws you make today will go after you one day.


I ask that we use a nationalistic lens when debating issues of this nature.

We have to be critical about laws we make today.

Nobody knew the 1964 Public Order Act would last for many years.

Those who created that law never knew it would last for longer period.

I do not want to be part of a generation that would create a law that will affect peaceful citizens tomorrow.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we will not be here again, but our names will be recorded as people who participated in this.

I am calling on Members of Parliament to protect the citizens by looking at this Bill critically.

We should not politicise these issues, 14 especially the committees.

We do not want to see a situation wherein we are seen to be protecting the political parties, instead of protecting the ordinary citizens.

I thank you very much.

HON.


ALICE J. KUMABEH: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, according to the Minister, approximately 17% of citizens are using technology in Sierra Leone, but I think that percentage needs to be reviewed.

This is because the villagers can afford to buy recharge cards.

Digital space is a good thing all over the world.

I am sure we are aware that the world has gone digital and cybercrimes are also part of the digital world.
I want to state here that the online gender based violence is something that is rampant.

We called it a new phenomenon because we are suffering from it unknowingly, especially the vulnerable ones.

Mr Minister, what is going to be your role for the most vulnerable women of this country?

You and I know that the vulnerable people are in majority and we want to know how you are going to ensure that they are aware of issues relating to cybercrimes.

Again, how are you going to protect us against this monster?
I want to state here cybercrime is a monster.

Why did I say cybercrime is a monster?

This is the platform the men are using to put the women down even in politics.

They use it to discriminate, intimidate and physically attack us the women.

So, the Minister has to pay attention to the online gender based violence.

It is a new phenomenon we have come up with and I have attended the training.

We want to see this development in other countries like what is happening now in Sierra Leone.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Sierra Leone being part of the global village, I recommend that the people are sensitised on the Cybercrime Bill.

Like what the Honourable Member was saying, we have to ensure that the people are sensitised.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I am a victim of cyber theft.

There was a time I was told that they wanted to perform a ceremony about me and if I did not do what they asked me to do, I would die.

In the process, they extorted Le200,000 from me.


Interestingly, that was the only money I had on that day.

I had to suffer for some days.

That was not the way I wanted to offer charity.

15 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want the Minister to ensure that action is taken.

We have been talking here, but there is no action taken.
I am sure Parliament is going to enact this Bill into law as a manifesto fulfilment, but what are we going to do to make this law effective and beneficial to the country, especially to the most vulnerable people, such as the women and the physically challenged?

I want the Minister to consider the sets of people I have mentioned.

In fact, even those who are educated, they are sometimes robbed.
As a matter of fact, when we talk about criminology, I think Sierra Leoneans are just students in that field because we have professors in other countries.

The Minister should take this into serious consideration.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to thank our brother and father, His Excellency the President, for thinking about Sierra Leone and do not want to know whether you are his brother or where you come from.
He wants to see the progress of Sierra Leone and that is why our slogan is ‘Paopa salon for beteh’ [Applause].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I also want to reiterate what my brother from the other side said about politics.

Politics in Sierra Leone has been the demon dressed with no mask.

I am saying this because when a Member takes the Floor to speak, you will know that this Member is APC or SLPP and that has been the trend in the past.
I think this time it is more civilized and we have to follow that trend.

So my brother, do not worry, do not fear; we are a very civilized Political Party; we love you and we love the country and we will see that whatever we put in place will benefit this country not only President Madda Bio and the SLPP.

On this note, I want to thank the Minister for coming with this kind of Bill here, but please Mr Minister; this is not a Bill that should be on the shelf.
Empower all of us to empower the ones that we think need this empowerment from this Cybercrime Bill.

I thank you very much [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I would want to hear from the Chairman of the Internal Affairs Committee.

I listened carefully to my friend, the Honourable Member on my left made serious allegations against the conduct of the police.

Please address me particularly on the issue relating to the Barefoot Women Project.

16 HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: Thank you, Mr Speaker.


Mr Speaker, the matter presented before this House by the Honourable Abdul Karim Kamara has been discussed by the Committee on Trade and Industry.

We have summoned the Inspector General of Police [IGP] for them to appear before the Committee on Trade.

I will be part of that meeting, Mr Speaker.

HON.

ABDUL K. KAMARA: Mr Speaker, point of order.

This is not about the Committee on Trade, but the Committee on NGOs.

HON.
HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: The clerk who met me on that day was the clerk of the Committee on Trade.

HON.

ABDUL K. KAMARA: Well, some clerks are serving two or more Committees.

HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: The staff came to my office and I know he is one of the clerks to Committee on Trade.

THE SPEAKER: I want to know if the issue had taken one year.

HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: This particular issue is over a year now.

Mr Speaker, I do not want the Honourable to judge the police at this point.
It is important for them to come to Parliament and appear before the Committee because we do not know what they have to say to the Committee.

It is possible that they might have different things to say compared to what we are talking about.

THE SPEAKER: It is alright.

HON.

ABDUL K. KAMARA: Mr Speaker, I want to make some clarifications on this matter.

They have come before Parliament and I am reporting based on what they said to us.
I am not saying the police have not been doing anything, but no action has been taken.

They came and reported that they have not done anything for a whole year.

The integrity of this nation is at stake in the hands of the police.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Chairman of the Internal Affairs Committee, please address us on this particular issue.

We want to know the current status.

17 HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: Mr Speaker, I came to know about this issue last week.
I am concerned because the money involved is about twenty three thousand Euros.

I know the weight of the Euro and I know how serious the matter is.

This is something I have spoken about to the Inspector General of Police [IGP] few days ago and I am quite sure they will be appearing before the Committee and I will be in attendance.

The IGP will be here possibly on Monday, so that we can address this matter without further delay.

THE SPEAKER: I want to hear from the Chairman of the Committee on NGOs.
HON.

DR ROLAND F. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this is an issue that has existed for about two years and it involves twenty thousand Euros.

This money was wired to the account of the Barefoot Women’s Organisation through a third party.

This was about two years ago when I was Chairman.

I left and came back and recalled this case because the German partners want this matter investigated.
We discovered that this matter was reported to the police, but the police failed to produce the report with the line of action.

So, the German authorities want the police report and to also know what the police are doing about this issue.

When we called the police about three weeks ago, we found out that they have not been able to produce a report and we were intended to detain the Chief Superintendent of police CID, but we gave them two weeks.
When the police left, they arrested the complainant, who is the liaison officer between the German organisation and the Barefoot Women Organisation.

He was kept under police custody and his flight was cancelled.

In fact, his bag and phones were confiscated.

We went to the police station and they told us to contact the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Brima Jah to give us a letter of permission.

I told them that either they release the man or I leave the case, but I would not go there.
So, they kept the man until he wrote an undertaken that Parliament should withdraw from the case otherwise they would not let him travel.

I wrote a letter that we are putting the matter on hold until further notice so that they could release the man.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, even when we guaranteed that we take responsibility if the man failed to come back, they refused to release him to us.
This is 18 where we are and Germany wanted this money to be sent through Sweden and the Swedish Police noted that it was a case of fraud.

The German Police wrote to the Sierra Leone Police, asking them to confirm their suspicion and thus sought for their assistance.

This was what the police needed to have done because they could trace the culprit very easily.

The police refused and detained the man until we had to write to put this matter on hold before the man was released to go back to Germany.
This is the situation, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I think both the Committee on NGOs and the Committee on Internal Affairs need to organise a joint meeting on Monday.

You need to invite the IGP, the Director of Crime Management and the head of CID.

You need to work hard, so that a police report relating to that investigation is tabled here against the next adjourned date for consideration.

HON.

DR ROLAND F. KARGBO: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: I hope we are okay on this.

HON.


BASHIRU SILIKIE: Owing to the fact that they will be having the first meeting on Monday, I would ask that we give them two weeks to conduct the investigation.

THE SPEAKER: In that case we give them two weeks.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Williams-Lamin, let me hear from you before I will give the Floor to the Honourable Paramount Chief.

HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the issue of cybercrime is overdue.
THE SPEAKER: Hold on Honourable Member.

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: Mr Speaker, due to the sensitive nature of this Bill and in view of the issues raised by Members of Parliament, I stand on S.Os.

37.

I request that we adjourn the debate on this Bill, so that the Ministry and possibly Members of Parliament can sensitise the public.

This Bill is very important and is going to affect the people who voted us.

I would encourage some of us who are not prepared for the 19 debate to wait.
We will have to continue the debate after we would have been very sure that the Ministry has done a lot of sensitisation and the public is aware of what we are doing.

We do not want to make a law which appears as if we are targeting the populace.

I want to encourage Honourable Members to exercise patience, so that the right thing is done.

I thank you.

THE SPEAKER: I will give three minutes to every Member of Parliament, so that more people will have opportunity to speak.

HON.
HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this Bill is very significant to the people of this country.

We are not talking about political lens here; and even if we talk about it, we are political animals and therefore we have to use that.

So, it is important that we do due diligence to this Bill.

I am sure Honourable Members have suffered from cybercrime.

What is cybercrime?

It involves identity theft using internet, computers and other modern technologies.
I have been a participant on cyber issues for the past twenty years.

I have used my internet address: jwlamin@hotmail.couk, and many other people have been stopped from accessing their emails because of their dubious activities.

I can however testify that Microsoft has kept me on that email address throughout this period.

My phone is a cyber-instrument which is 128 gigabyte Samsung product and I use it to develop project proposals and to navigate through the world.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, many people using the cyber-space in the world today are in the villages.

Therefore, we believe that we are decent people and we have to do decent things for society.

Today, we have a lot of people whom we assume to be representatives of the people of this nation, but they are doing it for a hidden agenda.

They are living in luxurious places.


Some of us could have never left our places where we would never suffer from mosquito bites, typhoid and other diseases, but we decided to come.

Therefore, we are here and people who want to be here should be here.

You cannot be here and impersonate others out there.

I thank you.

THE SPEAKER: Thank you, Honourable Member.

Honourable Paramount Chief, you have three minutes please.

20 HON.

P.C.
20 HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Mr Speaker, this is a very serious Bill and for you to allocate just three minutes, I may just ask the other speaker to allocate his three minutes to me.

THE SPEAKER: You can proceed Honourable Paramount Chief.

HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Mr Speaker, when I looked at this Bill, I compared it to many other Bills in the world, particularly in Africa.

I found out that ours is not matching with the others.
As the previous speakers mentioned, cybercrime is an international issue.

I am sure cybercrime can be used by governments and international organisations to destroy other countries.

We all know that great nations such as America complained about the cybercrime committed by the Russians during the 2016 elections.
When you talk about cybercrime, the cybercrime rate in those great nations is far greater than the terrorist acts because they affect nations; they affect economies of nations; they affect the production; and they also affect manufacturers.

When we talk about COVID-19 vaccine, the hackers are already trying to produce vaccine that is not even acceptable to the world.

So, it is not something we have to rush at all.


When some of us are given the Floor to speak in this House, before I stand up to speak, I would have done a lot of research on the subject matter.

I would have to bring many instances from other countries that are not cited here, but we are in the same continent.

I have not even gone to Britain or Europe, but in Africa.

Therefore, Mr Speaker, the three minutes is not enough.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Paramount Chief, I am sure that is not the point.
I only wanted to ensure that other Members of Parliament would also have their say.

Besides, we are not completing this debate today; you will still have your say.

Do all your research and put all your documents together for the next adjourned date.

HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Mr Speaker, I have not even spoken.

I have just stated my preamble… - [Laughter].

THE SPEAKER: Okay Chief, let us hear you.

21 HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Thank you.


I am very happy that the Deputy Leader of Government Business used S.Os 37, which is the Dilatory Motion we have failed to use many times.

Owing to the fact that we do not research, I am sure that is why some of us do not even bother to read.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I was going to ask if you could provide the Budapest Convention.

I have it anyway, but many of them here do not have that document.
If you want us to do a good job or you want to promote this Bill, then we should begin to compare and contrast this Bill with the Convention, so that we can learn a lot.

Some of us would want to develop this Bill and pass it into a law that will be comparable to other countries in the world.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, when people are complaining about the Police, I do not want to complain, but to point out certain irregularities because I have been a victim.

I went to the CID to give statement.


The court issued a warrant of arrest and it is almost a year ago and nothing had been done in that regard.

A bench warrant of arrest was issued and I was taken to the Cybercrime Office.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, when this Bill is rescheduled for another date, I would love the police, the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Permanent Secretary of that Ministry to be in attendance.

We want them to be here to listen to us.


I find it very interesting when serious Bills come to Parliament, we only speak to ourselves those who are going to implement the provisions in the Bill are not here to listen.

We are only talking to ourselves and sometimes when you talk to yourself, your wife will say no, it is not you.

So that is what we are doing here, talking to ourselves.

I expect Parliament to invite those who are concerned to come to Parliament and listen to the debate.
The Minister is here, but where is his Permanent Secretary?

Where is his Deputy?

We expect when you come here, we give you the maximum respect as Minister of Government with your experts, so that they know what we are saying.

They should be here to take notes, so that at the end of the day, they will be in a position to remind you on the various recommendations being proffered by Members of Parliament.

You cannot remember all the details in a debate, and this is why your team should be here.
22 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to state here that we need training for experts because hackers are now hijacking the world.

In the seventies, hijacking became a serious issue in the world, but this is worse than what used to happen in those days.

So, Mr Minister, I want you to bring to us this document or whatever document.

You can provide about 160 copies for the entire leadership of Parliament and for the Honourable Members.
This is because we want to follow-up on what the Budapest Convention says.

I have it here and I am also aware of the Malabo, but I will wait for the next adjourned date.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I wish the substantive Leader of Government Business is here to listen to this submission.

When we were here in 1996, we used to see a lot of diplomats coming to listen on invitation by Parliament.
We used to see a lot of people coming to listen to parliamentary debates, but of recent, I have not seen diplomats here.

In fact we used to have a radio programme called ‘Parliament Today.’ We used to take documents/Bills that were to be debated here to radio stations for radio discussions.

At present, we sometimes come here without any knowledge of what we are going to debate.

I know it is only recently they have started sending in papers… - [Undertone].
Mr Speaker, we used to have dispatchers in this House who used to deliver documents to us in our different homes.

Today, we have to come and pick up documents ourselves.

Members of Parliament are broke and we have no good cars to come and pick up documents.

We used to have bike riders who drop documents to us in our houses, so that even if you are not there, when you come from the provinces, your documents are available.

I thank you very much.

THE SPEAKER: Mr Leader, take note of that please.


I totally agree with the Honourable Paramount Chief on the fact that proper notice of debates or matters arising that should come up in Parliament be brought to the attention of Members of Parliament ahead of time.

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on the contrary, I am sure we have been reading the Notice Papers, informing Members of Parliament on future events.

23 THE SPEAKER: It is okay, Honourable Member.

HON.

CHERNOR R.M.
HON.

CHERNOR R.M.

BAH: Mr Speaker, whilst agreeing that we have challenges, but a lot of progress has happened since 1996.

Today, with technology, we are discussing the Cyber Bill.

We know we need to improve as a Business Committee because notices are always sent on Members of Parliament’s forums, so that we know a day before what we are expecting.

We also expect Members of Parliament to ensure that they read every document given to them ahead of the allotted time.
When you get your documents, they are your literature and you must read and understand at least the basics in such documents.

This will enhance your understanding of the issues in such documents and increases your capacity to debate the details and nitty-gritties in the documents.

We agreed that there are challenges, but as a Committee, we will improve.

HON.
HON.

MOHAMED BANGURA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, because of the importance of this Bill, being a former Minister and somebody who was involved in the drafting of this Bill at the initial stage, I would want to admonish the Minister to ensure that the police, Office of National Security [ONS] and members of the public are invited on the day this Bill is brought again to this House.

This is because this Bill is very important.

THE SPEAKER: I call on the Leader of Coalition for Change [C4C] to speak.
HON.

SAA E. LAMINA: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Bill under discussion is long overdue.

It is long overdue because I vividly remember two years ago, I was privileged to discuss this Bill at the ACP-EU Parliament and the Honourable Ibrahim B. Kargbo did justice when he was given the opportunity to talk on this Bill very Well.

We realised that many countries within the ACP-EU countries have already enacted this Bill into law.
It is but important that the Bill under discussion is enacted and I would wish justice is done on this Bill.

I am sure by the time we revoke S.Os.

51, justice would have been done by many of our MPs and they would be able to bring critical aspects.

I am sure this Bill will improve the privacy of people; online financial crimes will be minimised; anti-money laundering and a proper surveillance on anti-money acts.
I am also sure that by the time this Bill is enacted into 24 law, more lives will be improved; people will have confidence to navigate within the cyber world with ease of threats.

The Bill in question will discipline many people and there will be justice as contained in Section 48[1] [A to N].

Suspension of S.Os.

5[2] being 12:00 noon As I was saying, by the time this Bill is brought again for proper discussion and scrutiny, Sierra Leoneans will shout Halleluiah.
This is because Section 48[1] [A to N] of this Bill makes provision for the creation of an Advisory Committee.

I am sure the calibre of people who are going to manage the Advisory Committee is a force to reckon with.

Members of this Committee are drawn from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Attorney General’s Office, ONS, Bank Governor and the Ministry of Information and Communications.

These are people with lots of experiences.


They will definitely do justice for Sierra Leoneans to navigate the cyber world with ease.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we are hoping to see that by the time this Bill is enacted into law, the pains many Sierra Leoneans are feeling will reduce.

You will agree with me that technology is good, but it is marred with lots of challenges.
It has been undermined by several factors, but I believe this particular Bill will be enacted and by the time it reaches the Committee stage, a lot of issues would have been made known.

I have seen a particular recidivist and I refer to him as a recidivist because he acts exactly like a recidivist.

I have seen a cyber-thug; I have seen an inciter that has contributed through the cyber world to bring untold sufferings and untimely deaths to Sierra Leoneans.
I have been a victim whose late mother and father have been abused perpetually by this particular recidivist.

I want to believe by the time this Bill is enacted, definitely cybercrime will be reduced, e-market will be improved and people's privacy will be maintained.

I hope that S.Os.

51[1] will critically look at this Bill for thorough discussions.

I thank you very much.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA [Leader of C4C]: Thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, this Bill is not about politics; it is about fighting cybercrime and combating a potent threat to our personal and national security.

Cybercrimes are common because I have seen a lot of derogatory remarks against innocent people online.

My family and I have suffered 25 because of these cyber criminals.

I believe this is the right time to say enough is enough.

We have to mobilise a collective efforts to take the fight to these criminals.
There are lots of things we need to address about cybercrimes.

The criminals infiltrate and gain control over our computer systems.

They use derogatory words on innocent people through modern technologies and they use computers for identity theft.

They extort moneys from people and this has to stop.

I agree with the Leader when he said that we need time to sensitise the people.

We also need time to do some research and I understand the fears of a Member of the Opposition.
We have to ensure that we help the Minister to fine-tune this Bill, so that only the criminals are targeted.

We need to make our country proud and some of the things I read online written in Krio/creole are a national shame.

We have to minimise this, so that the criminals are defeated.

I am sure the right time is now.


It is good to postpone the debate on this Bill because we need to do some comparative studies; we need to know what other countries are doing or what they have done, so that we can have a law that will stand the test of time; a law that will fight criminals and at the same time will protect individuals’ liberties.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.


THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I will allow you to speak, but in the future, when the leaders are given the Floor, we do not allow any other member to speak.

I will only allow you because I promised to give you the Floor.

So, in future, the moment your leader is given the Floor to speak, no other Member is allowed to say anything.

I give you three minutes.

HON.


SAHR CHARLES: Mr Speaker, the issue of the leadership of the C4C is not a secret because you would have known by now that the leadership has officially changed.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, please sit down.

We do not want to be drawn in whatever is happening within the C4C.

This is the House of Parliament and as far as this House is concerned, the leadership of C4C has not changed because we have not heard any announcement by the speakership in that regard.
In other words, the Speaker has to officially announce any leadership in the C4C, but that is yet to happen.

26 HON.

SAA E. LAMINA: Mr Speaker, sooner than later, I will stand on S.Os.

26 because discipline must be instilled in this House.

I will stand on S.Os.

26, in tandem with Section 97 of the 1991 Constitution.

We are told and we have read that the image and dignity of Parliament should not only stop here, but even outside Parliament.

THE SPEAKER: Certainly, Honourable Member.

HON.


SAA E. LAMINA: Few weeks ago, certain Members of Parliament whose names will certainly come up, brought disrepute to the House of Parliament regarding the hullabaloo within the leadership of C4C, but that will be reserved for another day.

I want to state here that S.Os.

26, in tandem with Section 97, will be properly utilised.

As I said earlier, this House do not groom recidivists.
This is an Honourable House and therefore do not groom indiscipline people.

This House should serve as a pacesetter; this House should groom gentlemen and ladies that should be model for society.

Definitely this provision in our Standing Orders will be fully utilised.

I thank you very much.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I want to advise that in future, if anything happens that is against the tenets of this House, you make a formal complaint.

You can even come to Parliament and move a motion.


I want to admonish the Honourable Member that the less you speaks about his party leadership or whatever situation in the C4C, the better.

HON.

SAHR CHARLES: Mr Speaker, you have already allowed the Honourable Member to comment on the issue.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, whatever the Honourable Leader of C4C has said, he has not mentioned anything.

HON.
HON.

SAA E. LAMINA: Mr Speaker, the leadership of C4C has spoken and the Honourable Member is only making a hue and cry of this matter.

HON.

SAHR CHARLES: Honourable Saa E. Lamina, I want to know which leadership of C4C you referred to.

As far as we are concerned, Mr Speaker, the Honourable Member is not the Leader of our party in Parliament.
Mr Speaker, we have made that 27 very clear, it is up to your speakership to do the needful by announcing the new structure as it is communicated to your office by our party.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, please sit down.

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, because of the sensitivity of this debate, I am sure this debate is of public interest.

THE SPEAKER: Certainly, Honourable Member.

HON.


BASHIRU SILIKIE: In that regard, we want our people to understand exactly what we do with regard the laws we pass here.

So, I stand on S.Os.

37 to move that we end the Debate here, so that we can allow the Ministry of Information and Communications to properly educate the public.

THE SPEAKER: Do you have a counter Motion?

HON.


DANIEL B KOROMA: Mr Speaker, I intended to second this Motion as earlier stated, but I do not think the way he put it is correct.

He is talking about deferring the debate or giving more time and not ending the debate.

THE SPEAKER: No, he is asking for deferment and not ending the debate.

HON.

DANIEL B. KORAMA: On that note, I second the Motion.

HON.
HON.

CHRENOR R. M. BAH [Leader of the Opposition]: Mr Speaker, before you put the question, the Minister will confirm that I am probably the person who pushed and agreed for S.Os.

37 before today.

I also informed your good self and the Leaders on the other side.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I participated in the legislative hearings of this Bill.

I have deliberately refused to use prefix ‘pre,’ but legislative hearings.
I want to thank the Minister and his team for not just listening to Parliament, but taking extra steps in ensuring that the country gets the best.

I just want to encourage colleagues because yesterday the turnout was very poor.

When legislative hearings are called, we must endeavour to attend; otherwise we will learn little or nothing.

So, I hope that when we get this opportunity again using S.Os.

37, we will conduct some research.


I am just 28 hoping that those of us who are now in Chamber and those who are not in Chamber will not use this time without going through the documents.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, whilst we await the Ministry to assist us in consulting and conferring, we also do so as individuals because all of us have agreed that this Bill is very important and it touches every Sierra Leonean; and even non-Sierra Leoneans because when we talk about cyber offences today, it is transnational.

So, for us in Sierra Leone, we have to take this Bill seriously.
Those women in the market places, the Okada riders and many others use the social media these days and by extension they participate in the issues we are talking about.

As Member of Parliament, I crave the indulgence of your good self and also encourage my colleagues to reach out to our people and do lots of research, so that when we come back in the not distant future, we will be better informed and enact a better law that will stand the test of time.
We should endeavour to pass a law for the good of all Sierra Leoneans.

I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Mr Leader of Government Business, do you have anything to say before I put the question?

HON.

BASHIRU SILIKIE: Mr Speaker, in line with what the Leader of the Opposition has said, I want to encourage the Minister to talk to the security personnel, since this Bill is talking about security, so that they will be here during debate on this Bill.
We encourage ONS, FIU, the Police, Sierra Leone Correctional Services, the Media, Civil Societies to be here to listen to us.

I thank you.

THE SPEAKER: The clerks, you have just listened to what the Leader has said.

Please ensure that all the relevant institutions are here for the debate, particularly the police and ONS.

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [The Bill entitled the Cyber Crime Act, 2021 has been deferred Pursuant to S.Os.

37[1] HON.

CHRENOR R.M.


BAH: Mr Speaker, I want to talk about two issues.

I want the Leader of Government Business and the Honourable Paramount Chief from Tonkolili to 29 listen.

The first issue I want to talk about is the Kingho Mining Company.

The Kingho issue is going out of control; and as a Parliament, we should not sit by and allow things that are not supposed to happen take place.

I do not need to go over Section 40 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone and it is good that the Minister is here.
Mr Speaker, there is no way a company could mine our minerals without a Mining Lease Agreement.

The only way you could go ahead and do what you want to do is when you keep strictly to our laws.

We know that there are tax holidays and they have also enjoyed duty free waivers before now.

So, we take it as an affront to this House and the people of Sierra Leone for Kingho to tell us again that they are proceeding with mining operations.

I have called for the Minister to appear before this House.
I was encouraged by the good job the Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources did.

They laid their report and we have discussed it.

Mr Speaker and Mr Leader of Government Business, I think it is now time for the Minister and his team; i.e., the National Minerals Agency [NMA] specifically to appear before this House.
THE SPEAKER: Honourable Leader of the Opposition, I totally agree with you, but before they appear before this House, I would urge that they appear before the leadership first, so that we discuss certain issues before they appear before the plenary.
Thus, The Table Clerks should invite the Minister, the Minister of Information and Communications, the Director General of NMA, the CEO of Kingho and the Chairman of the Committee on Mines to appear before the leadership on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. in the Speaker’s Conference Room.

The Chairman of the Committee on Mines is incidentally part of the Leadership, but please ensure that you are in attendance on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. HON.
CHRENOR R. M. BAH: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, my second point has to do with the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority [SLRSA].

You would recall that during the last sitting in which you were the presiding officer, I said I was going to keep quiet as the Chairman of the Committee on Transport had assured us that they would be addressing issues relating to SLRSA.

However, the attitudes of our road users are getting worst by the day, and the SLRSA is responsible.
People’s lives are not safe 30 because accidents are on the increase.

Drivers are parking everywhere they feel like, such as places meant for vehicles to drop off passengers.

In other words, drivers park their vehicles in places meant to drop passengers on a 24 hour basis.

The danger part of this is that when other drivers want to drop passenger[s], they have to park on the road, which is unacceptable.

I do not want to say they are inept because that might be too strong.
I have had private conversations with the head of SLRSA almost three times and the Chairman of the Committee on Transport will confirm this because he has been in attendance twice.

He is a young man and I was trying to bring him closer, so that I can talk to him but it seems as if they are comfortable with what is happening.

This is not good for this country at all.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, some of us travel on these roads at night, but we are not safe at all.
The Minister was coming from Bo the other day and he arrived in Freetown at night.

We met along the highway and it is not safe.

So, I want you to kindly plead with the Chairman of the Committee on Transport to engage the Executive Director of the SLRSA.

That institution used to be SLRTA, but has been changed to SLRSA for our safety, but we are not safe at all.

The number of accidents happening on the roads is countless.
I want you to plead with the Chairman; otherwise the Minister of Transport will have to face this House.

THE SPEAKER: Mr Chairman of the Committee on Transport, do you have something to say?

HON.

MAADA A. LEBBY: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

The point the Honourable Leader of the Opposition raised is noted.

We discussed the other day and the SLRSA team is supposed to appear before the Committee tomorrow, but due to issues beyond their control, we have to agree with them to differ that meeting.
THE SPEAKER: What issues are you referring to?

HON.

MAADA A. LEBBY: Mr Speaker, the Minister and the Permanent Secretary were supposed to be in attendance, but the Deputy Minister lost his father and he will be buried tomorrow.

31 THE SPEAKER: I agree with you because that is a moral issue and as Members of Parliament, we should respect that.
Let me state this for the attention of all Chairmen of the various Committees that when Parliament summons any head of MDA, the only excuse that is worthwhile will be either the Minister is attending Cabinet meeting or that the MDA is part of a Cabinet sub-committee and they have to meet or the head of MDA has been summoned by the Presidency.

Those are the only excuses acceptable to this House apart from the moral ones that will be wholeheartedly accepted.
You will agree with me that parliamentary summons take precedent if not related to these issues I have just mentioned.

We do not want a situation wherein heads of MDAs will tell us that they have administrative issues to address, such as meetings and therefore they will not attend parliamentary meetings.

Mr Chairman, how do you intend to proceed with this taking into account the complaint of the Leader of the Opposition?

HON.
HON.

MAADA A. LEBBY: Just after the funeral engagement over the weekend, we will agree on a date, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, after the meeting with the SLRSA, please inform the leadership about the outcome.

HON.

MAADA A. LEBBY: Definitely, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: We will get him to appear before us.

HON.

MAADA A. LEBBY: We will table a report and then make it available to the House.

THE SPEAKER: That will be a good news.

HON.


P.C BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I just want to bring to the notice of Parliament that SLRSA and Sierra Leone Roads Authority [SLRA] have to work together.

There is road maintenance going on along Kissy Road and I do not know whether SLRA is mending the potholes, but there is heavy traffic along that route.

In fact, no vehicle is using that route.

I went there 32 yesterday.


I was going along that route to buy a spare part and I was there for over six hours.

I only saw few workers trying to fill the potholes at Kissy Road.

If you go there now, you will experience heavy traffic.

Drivers divert the traffic to Fourah Bay road.

They blocked the road just to fill few potholes.


I am sure in most civilised or advanced countries, repairs of this nature is done at night, from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. You will never go to New York City and find a situation wherein repairs are done around 1:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m.

THE SPEAKER: You are right, Honourable Paramount Chief.

HON.

P.C BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: We do not know the use of time and time is money.
When you work for major Corporations, a 15 minutes strike by 1000 workers is huge because when you multiply 15 minutes by 1000 workers, you will know the hours the Corporation has lost.

It is huge loss, Mr Speaker.

So, if you create unnecessary traffic just to fill a pothole, when the job should have been done between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in the morning, people and MDAs or institutions will suffer.
You all aware that we have curfew in the country, which means that by 10:00 p.m., no vehicle should be on the road unless there is an emergency.

Please let us call the SLRA and SLRSA to see how best these repairs can be done without obstructing traffic.

People are suffering and I saw lots of them yesterday walking to Kissy and other places.

I am sure some did not get there till 10:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Please, we have to take note of that.

I thank you.

HON.
I thank you.

HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on the 4th of this month, I stood in this Well and informed the House about the tragedy that took place in my Constituency.

That affected my constituents, in particular my football team.

I requested the intervention of some stakeholders, such as the Federation of International Football Association [FIFA].
They sent condolence messages and I want to believe that this incident did not only affect my constituents or my football team, but had gone beyond even the district.

This is because we have been grooming these players to qualify for the Sierra Leone Premier League and the Leone Stars national team.

I have not heard anything from Parliament and I cannot tell whether Parliament 33 is concerned.
I appreciate the prayers being offered, but I further requested that we needed stakeholders’ intervention and Parliament, as the Legislative Arm of Government, is a very serious stakeholder in this country.

We have seen individuals in Parliament intervening, but I am yet to see the robust intervention of the whole House, as we have been doing to other bereavements that we have attended.
I am therefore appealing to this noble House, especially the leadership to intervene robustly as those who were injured are still receiving treatments.

I thank you.

THE SPEAKER: Let me hear from the Honourable Paramount Chief, but before he takes the Floor, I would want leaders of this House to take note of the concerns raised by Honourable Dr Mark M, Kalokoh.

I will personally convey your concerns to Mr Speaker.

HON.

P.C ALHAJI KANDEH P. KAWALLEH II: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I stand on S.Os.
23.

Sometime ago, I told the Speaker that I have an issue that has to do with the name of my Chiefdom.

The problem is still ongoing.

I told this House that the previous name of my Chiefdom is Sanda Bonkoh and not ‘Banti.’ Mr Speaker, the accident that the Honourable Member was talking about also affected me.

Many people called to sympathise with me because the area where the accident occurred was in Gbanti Chiefdom around Makari area.
So, it is a very serious issue and I want you to take action, so that the previous name of my Chiefdom is maintained.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I have a naming ceremony on the 4th April and I want to use this opportunity to invite the entire membership of this House to attend that ceremony.

Mr Speaker, the area that has to do with name of my Chiefdom should be highly considered.

I want you to step in and do something about it.

Thank you very much [Applause].

HON.


HORACE E. VINCENT: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, you want to hear something pastoral.

I want to say to this House that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Sierra Leoneans must have the fear of God.

There is a devastating issue affecting every Sierra Leonean within this country; and that is electricity.
The Government, through the Minister, has been making strides in terms of improving the 34 electricity in the country, but there is something that is happening now that is affecting my own constituency.

I am sure it is also affecting many other constituencies around the country.

Mr Speaker, we have Sierra Leoneans whose aspiration is to bring down the image of this government down.

These unpatriotic Sierra Leoneans are on rampage and they are all over the country, destroying transformers.
They usually fidget these transformers and cut off the cables.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I have two transformers in my constituency that have been destroyed due to these heinous activities.

At Hastings, two transformers have been destroyed as a result of people fidgeting these transformers and cutting off the cables for one reasons best known to them.

As governance is continuity, I do not think any well-meaning Sierra Leonean will be happy to see such terrible destructions.
I want to crave the indulgence of the security sector to step in and save the situation.

Over the years, these transformers have been manned by residents within the communities, but now that there is curfew, the community people cannot go out to look after these transformers; and as such, the thieves are taking this advantage to steal the cables.

This is why I want the security personnel to intervene and provide effective monitoring of state assets.
Again, the intermittent supply of electricity is not helping the situation because whenever there is power outage, these thieves enter the transformers to destroy them.

I want to state here that a lay man that does not know about electricity cannot enter these transformers and cause havoc.

I am sure the thieves are people who know much about electricity.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, all of us know that we have a devastating situation in Sierra Leone, particularly in Freetown.
This has to do with the collapse of the Savage Street Bridge.

Technical people will tell you that the collapse of the bridge was due to the ongoing construction or erection of buildings within the environment.

For them, these activities have weakened the foundation of that bridge.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to draw the attention of this Honourable House to two bridges that are currently under construction within my constituency; i.e., the one at Hastings Junction and the other at Rogbangba Junction.

As we speak, they 35 have already banked the water and massive constructions of buildings are ongoing around those bridges.

If you are driving from Jui, you will see massive construction going on around the first bridge towards Hastings on both sides.
Massive construction is also ongoing around the Rogbangba Junction.

The massive construction of buildings is affecting the lifespan of those two bridges.

I want to crave the indulgence of this Honourable House, through the relevant Committees, to take these matters seriously.

I thank you for your attention.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I am sure we need a joint meeting of the Committees on Works, Lands and the Environment.
These three Committees are to be headed by the Deputy Leader of Government Business.

Their mandate is to investigate and present a report to this House.

Mr Deputy Leader of Government Business, please engage the other two Chairmen and invite the parties to appear before you.

I hope we are clear on this.

I will personally follow up on this matter.

HON.

SAMA I. SANDY: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I stand on S.Os.
23 to present an issue that has to do with the cybercrime regarding the Barefoot Women Organisation.

The gentleman who was intimidated by the police is doing very well for the local NGOs of this nation.

In the NGO world, there are people who lookout for donors for the country.

Such people mobilise resources for our local NGOs.

We normally present concept notes and when these concept notes are being marketed, we develop proposals.
This is how they mobilise funds for these local NGOs, but because of the issue relating to the Barefoot Women, two local NGOs are now without funding for the whole of last year.

As we speak, they have still not received a dime from their donors in Germany.

So, they have not been able to undertake any development projects.

Their funding is being put on hold and it is affecting the progress of this country.

I want to be their mouthpiece in this Well.


This Honourable House should take this issue seriously, so that it can be addressed within the shortest possible time.

Our local NGOs are financially starved.

In fact, what is happening now, according to one of the people mobilising resources for local NGOs is that this issue is all over Europe that Sierra Leone 36 will soon go to the red light.

I am sure if that happens, our local NGOs will lose their funding.

So, let us take this issue seriously.


THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, you have to take that into account in your deliberations.

Mr Clerk, please take the concerns raised by Honourable Sama I. Sandy.

ADJOURNMENT [The House rose at 2:46 p.m. and was adjourned to the 18th March, 2021 at 10:00 a.m.] 37